Space Hopper DIPA - Pinter Review
When trying a new homebrewing product one and done just doesn’t cut it. So, we bought ourselves a Double IPA from Pinter to test the homebrew system once again. We found great success with the BrewDog Elvis Juice IPA (review below), and we’re hoping for equally good, if not better, results with this beer.
As with the Elvis Juice IPA, this recipe kit came with sanitizer, beer extract, and yeast, but no additional hopper vial, making the process even easier. The final yield is supposed to be 12 pints coming in at 7.0% ABV.
The recommended brewing time for Space hopper is 7 days of fermenting and 7 days conditioning in the fridge. We had a warm spell here in Texas so we opted (using Pinter’s app) to brew for 6 days and condition for 5. They offer adaptable brew times so don’t be afraid to try them to see the effects on your beer.
Well, the conditioning is done and the keg is chilled, so let’s tap it!
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Golden with a slight haze. Pours smoothly and creates a tight-pored and cream-colored head that maintains well.
On the Nose--Stone fruit (peach) with rich bready notes. Expressive with fruitiness and a positively high ABV.
On the Palate--Peach for sure! Actually, peach cobbler is a more accurate analysis. Space Hopper has a canned peach flavor, a touch of spicy hops, and the same breadiness from the aroma, truly making it like the down home dessert. It has a medium body and a smooth mouthfeel, and the finish is dry but the beer drinks rather juicy with so much peach flavor.
Final Thoughts:
Whether we brew them or buy them, we expect a lot from Double IPAs. They have to be rich and expressive, as well as hoppy and complex. But we also like them to be quite approachable, because what fun is it to have only one?
Space Hopper DIPA is all of these things. The peach cobbler flavor is almost uncanny, but it is complex and fruity without being overbearing, and it offers a complexity and approachability with the spicy hop and bready notes. It has undertones that remind us a bit of the Elvis Juice IPA, but I’m guessing that’s from the use of hop oils and malt extract. It’s not bad, just distinct. I’m also guessing it has a large dose of Galaxy hops that offer peach flavor beyond belief when handled well, as in not heated, as this beer was not. But would I brew it again?
Yes! And if you have a Pinter give it a try yourself.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew
Curious about the Pinter homebrew system? Read our review here!
And if you want to try Pinter’s collaboration with BrewDog, check out the Elvis Juice IPA here!